Jon Jones has heard nearly every compliment the mixed martial arts community has to offer throughout his legendary career. Fans and fighters alike have consistently regarded him as the greatest fighter of all time, and his 28-1 record with 17 successful UFC title defenses has only strengthened that case. But one specific piece of praise stands out to the former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight champion above all the rest.
The praise came from the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the legendary coach and father of undefeated UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. Years ago, Abdulmanap called Jones a gift from God. Recently, Jon Jones explained exactly why that specific phrasing carries so much weight for him today.
Speaking to Red Corner MMA, Jones addressed the historic compliment directly. He pointed to the religious differences between the two men as the primary reason the quote holds such value for him. Jones is a devout Christian, while the Nurmagomedov family are practicing Muslims.
God’s gift.” Yeah. I’ll never forget that. I’ll never forget that. And I’m honored to have such a compliment come from such a respected man, you know, a proven man. And I actually I believe I believe what he says. You know, it means more because, you know, I’m a Christian. He’s a Muslim. And for him to feel that way about me, it says a lot. It says a lot.” (Timestamp: 14:41-15:09)
Jones said during the interview.
Abdulmanap was heavily respected across the combat sports world before his passing in July 2020. Jones has spoken about his Christian faith throughout his career. For Jones, getting that nod from a proven mastermind of the sport meant everything. Faith has always played a massive role in how Jones approaches his career.
His father, Arthur Jones Jr., works as a pastor, and Jones has the verse Philippians 4:13 tattooed on his chest. He has credited his faith directly in post-fight interviews, including after the Gane fight, and has previously reacted to footage of Khabib discussing his own father on social media.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s Influence Extended Beyond His Own Son
Abdulmanap trained both Khabib and current Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev. He started one of MMA’s most elite camps in Dagestan before his death from COVID-19 complications in July 2020. ‘The Eagle’ retired undefeated at 29-0 later that year, citing his father’s death and a promise he made to his mother that he would never fight again. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
Jones and Khabib were never close, and Khabib’s friendship with Jones’s longtime rival, Daniel Cormier, has added tension over the years. Even so, when Jones first announced his retirement on Instagram, the former Lightweight Champion congratulated Him, calling him the greatest fighter in UFC history.
He also acknowledged the impact Jones had on the sport, saying he inspired millions around the world, while noting that although they were never friends, Jones had nothing left to prove. Khabib wrote: “My congratulations legend, even we was not friends but you are the best who ever do it in UFC history and you inspire millions of people around the world. You have nothing more to prove.”
Jones has not competed since the Miocic knockout. He stepped away from active UFC competition this year following a dispute over being left off a UFC card, and now works as global ambassador for IBA Bare Knuckle, a Russian bare-knuckle boxing promotion, appearing at its Moscow event in late June.
‘Bones’ holds a 28-1 record with one no-contest and is a two-division UFC champion, having captured titles at both light heavyweight and heavyweight. Abdulmanap’s view of him, given nearly a decade before Jones reached the top of the heavyweight division, stays one of the sport’s more spot-on early takes.
